Kudos to the kids from Highland Park, who dominated Class 4A tennis with four state titles this week. But the biggest winner, in terms of inspiration and heart, may have been a 15-year-old from Madison who actually finished second. Bradley Loftis (at right) grew up in South Dallas hitting balls off a wall with a $2 racket. This week he was hitting his 92-mph serve in the Class 3A finals, trying to become the first state champion from DISD since 1929. Bradley, who was held back in third grade and was therefore eligible for varsity competition as an eighth-grader, lost to a defending state champion. But he remained unbowed. “My feeling is I’m ready for next year. I’m ready to do it again.”

Pleasant surprise for hike-bike trail

Nature lovers will have lots more trail to traverse around the Trinity Forest golf course project in southern Dallas, and that’s a good thing. Money pledged for the nature trail by AT&T is going further than expected, and the trail will, too — 4.25 miles, as opposed to the original estimate of 2.8 miles. The golf-trail project, being built atop an old landfill at Loop 12 east of I-45, will be a stellar addition to the area. And now there’ll be more of it.

New tool for tollway toolbox

Good progress from state lawmakers on a bill adding enforcement muscle to the NTTA for dealing with toll scofflaws. If the Senate agrees to minor House changes to SB 1792 and the governor signs it, the North Texas Tollway Authority could block registration of vehicles of “habitual” toll violators — those who rack up 100 unpaid tolls and ignore payment demands. The agency could also impound the cars of habitual violators who continue to use the roads as though they were free. Tolls have become a de facto highway tax in Texas, and the NTTA needs a stronger hand in dealing with the 2 percent of drivers who flout their obligation to pay them.

Gas producers help themselves with better pollution controls

Whatever side of the fracking debate you might occupy, it’s good news that the Environmental Protection Agency has determined that advances in leak prevention have increased the trapping of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, during natural gas production. Even with natural gas production up about 40 percent since 1990, thanks largely to fracking technology, the industry has found ways to release 20 percent less methane through better gaskets, maintenance and monitoring. By making better use of pollution controls, gas producers are helping themselves, too, since the industry ends up with more product to sell.

Rawlings rightly wants council to stick to city business

Like Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, this editorial board favors government-sanctioned marriage equality between straight and gay couples. And, like Rawlings, this board is clear on which governmental body should make that determination. Rawlings insists that the Dallas City Council shouldn’t waste a moment voting on a resolution supporting gay marriage rights, a national argument that will be resolved at the U.S. Supreme Court. Rawlings also doesn’t want the council “talking about late-term abortions or gun control” or the Guantánamo Bay detention center. Councils, he says, should debate city business. The mayor is correct and courageous to say so, despite his personal beliefs.

Owner’s empty threat to move Cubs from Wrigley

More than most teams, the Chicago Cubs’ identity is tied to their historic ballpark. A baseball fan could imagine a lot of teams in new digs, but the Cubs without Wrigley Field? Unthinkable. So owner Tom Ricketts’ threat to move the team if the city doesn’t allow him to build a money-making 6,000-square-foot video board over the left-field wall that would block the views of rooftop fans across the street rings exceptionally hollow. To his credit, Ricketts wants to put $300 million into an extensive renovation of Wrigley, the Cubs’ home since 1916. On the other hand, the Cubs also have failed to win a World Series for 104 years, yet the city and its fans have supported them loyally. They deserve better than empty threats.

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